Add Traditional Styling With Cabinet Refacing

by Allison Beatty
Face Your Kitchen Columnist

Traditional kitchen designs are a perennial favorite, as they blend with most house and furniture styles. During a cabinet refacing, consider making these changes to create a traditional kitchen design.

Kitchen Cabinets Set the Tone

Cabinet refacing involves replacing the door fronts and drawers, changes that can alter the entire tone of your kitchen design. If you are replacing contemporary, flat panel doors, now is the time to add:

Raised panel doors.
Doors with arches at the top.
Glass doors with stained glass or etched designs.

Cabinet Wood Means Traditional

Most traditional kitchen designs feature wood cabinets. When refacing cabinets, look to add a rich cherry or light maple style to your kitchen. Cherry wood has a deeper color and tone, creating a dramatic effect. Maple can help lighten a dark kitchen design.

Add Decorative Wall Tile

The style of wall tile you add can have a big impact on the overall design of the room. To create a traditional kitchen design, stick with:

Natural materials, such as marble and other stones.
Porcelain or ceramic tile with plenty of details.
Tiles with traditional colors, such as blues, yellows and earth tones.

As you shop for wall tile, avoid the trendier metal tiles, as they lean toward a contemporary look.

Consider Kitchen Appliances

If you are planning to replace kitchen appliances during the cabinet refacing, look for ones with:

Wood panels to blend with cabinetry.
Old fashioned flair.
Handles with traditional detailing.

Add Traditional Kitchen Design Accents

Aside from cabinet refacing changes, you'll want to focus on the accents that pull the room together. New window treatments, paint and knick knacks also should lean toward traditional styling. This means:

Lots of detail. Hang a mirror with carved molding around the edge in the breakfast room.
Plenty of warm colors. Use fabrics with sage, cranberry or wheat colors.
A toe kick with furniture legs or other detailing.
Cabinet crown molding to add dimension.

About the Author
Allison E. Beatty is a syndicated real estate writer. She has been a writer of home improvement columns for 15 years. Her articles have appeared in numerous national newspapers and magazines, and on home improvement web sites.